Third Girl

This book was pretty interesting. It put our beloved Poirot in a different light. How vain that he is came out and it was funny to read. When a girl, Norma came to Poirot for help and told him she thought she murdered someone. He was willing to help. But one look and she said that he was too old no-one told me you were so old. Threw Poirot for a loop.

His character was kept through the story which was nice. And it was nice to see another character Ariadne Oliver come back for another go at it. While Ariadne was trying to help. Poirot always seem to want to solve without Ariadne. Of course the banter was pretty good between them. Even when Miss Oliver explained what a Third Girl was.

We have a girl that thought she committed murder. Poirot on the hunt to help and clear up that he wasn't that old. And someone who would love and take care of Norma at the end. Plus sneaky people who weren't Norma's family to take what she had.

Hercule Poirot solves not 1 murder but 2. We meet Miss Lemon, Poirot's secretary. And read how he convinces Norma why she thought to be crazy. Norma appears crazy, or think crazy, and possibly is crazy.As he explains the general may be ordinary for everyday people. But it something to get help in.

Giving Third Girl 5 

Now off to another adventure!

 

My Bermuda Namesakes

 

I always like to read debut novels. Gives me a chance to look at a new author. With hopes that the next book is just as good or, better. 

There was something about this story that was off for me. I believe it lacked a strong protagonist. Josephine James, JJ as friends and family call her. Maybe it was the accident when she lost short term memory that made her wary. But to go to Bermuda to be under one of best doctors took guts.

On a whim to look up namesakes was brave. But when she met one of the namesakes I couldn't stand to read about her actually believing everything people say. What a shame she walked into a mess that somebody took advantage of her handicap.

I think it was the drawn out way she had to keep coming back to her journal. Didn't write anything down when she was talked into something that she shouldn't of been doing.

She finally did meet another namesake which was a better match for her. And a boyfriend to boot. Who is a lawyer.

Naturally everything was put together in a red bow at the end.

Nice concept. A little long, too long on the back and forth and her short term memory

just to get to the bottom of a whodunit .

Good story but can only give 4____________> 

It just was too long for me. And JJ was just too annoying with her being naive. But again the book was ok.

Roar

 

This was a good book. Short stories, so many pages.
30 short stories. Could have used a little less. They are stories that women can relate to. Roar to.

When I first started to read this book. I was scratching my head wondering where this author is going. What is Cecelia trying to say? Stories were told in weird allegories to make a point. In this case how a woman is treated and how she feels.

I totally relate to some stories. Like the story where the woman had to give a presentation. And everything she thought could go wrong, did. Enough that she went down a black hole. Found out she isn't the only one that makes mistakes. She gets support from down there. Gets the confidence that she can do this presentation and anything she wants. She gives a great presentation. With a little help from new found friends.
A story about a woman that has a bird brain. Literally! She has a bird feather on her brain. Everything she did before having kids, taking care of her husband seemed to be in a fog to her. So she had to make a change for herself. So slowly she took care of herself. Spent time alone with her husband. Did things that made her happy. Then that feather was no longer there. Her fog gone.
I think my favorite was when a man went to doctors and wanted a vasectomy. But the doctor couldn't do it. Yet he didn't understand and said he would go somewhere else. Doctor told him not in this country. He was so angry. Telling the doc that they had no right to tell him what to do with his body. But they do. It's illegal to travel, give advice over the phone etc..
With what is going on in this country it's good to read about the other side on what they are going through. How's it feel man? Not so good huh?

Who can resist to Roar! Every woman has her own secret. Her own space. At the end of the day the put together woman gets her chance to ROAR!

I give Roar 4 

Just not because it was too many stories. But I do see other's options that it's not all showing empowerment for women. But a social thing.

The Storm Murders

 

Why I picked this book to read? Well my son was to go to Montreal  Canada. And no doubt the detective, or should I say retired detective is from Montreal.

Emile Cinq-Mars a retired cop got called to help and give counsel about a murder that happen in the snow storm. FBI was involved as well as his old partner. Emile's wife Sandra wanted to be kept in the loop. Since  she was always wondering, as Emile was always on a job.

I thought the story was a bit wordy. It took great lengths not to give in and say "I don't want to read anymore". But I got through it. A good story. The way the author put it together, page turner.

As most mysteries go there were murders of instant people as well as police. Motive was what Emile was working on. Lead Emile down to New Orleans. His wife went to. No time for sight seeing. Emile had a job to do.

With the excitement of investigating again. Cinq-Mars had for the first time the saddest feeling of missing his badge and duties with his gun. 

 The story and ending were murky for me. Very long to describe a plan of some sought or other.

All in all the story was good. I would like at some point and read the rest of trilogy

I would give The Storm Murders a 4 <____________

Ordeal by Innocence

 

I really liked this story. There were different characters. And as always only Agatha Christie does, there were many suspects. But these people had an interest  in each other. Because they thought each other had murdered their mother.

I found myself not liking Calgary. For some reason he had to make sure he solved this case. Even though he was no detective. But knowing that he thought he had good news to give the Argyle family. But the news wasn't taken as such. "Jack Argyle was innocent". For whatever reason Calgary had to put the pieces together. He must do what had to be done and forget after that. I found myself saying "stay out of it".

Who killed Mrs. Argyle? Her kids that she adopted from bad situations they were in? Playing the good person for better. Or was it her husband? Or maybe the housekeeper? And then you have Philip Durrant. Husband of Mary. Another amateur detective. In this case he was found the same way as Mrs. Argyle.

Different brothers and sisters that found comfort in one another. At least two anyway.

It all comes down to Arthur Calgary figures out the pieces and with the permission and help from Superintendent Huish.

Not the guilty who matter, it's the innocent. At times people forget the innocent can be forgotten. And they are of need of help. It's tougher on them.

The ending surprised me. Between Hester and Arthur Calgary. Hester so unsure of herself, so wild. Calgary really never liked her. Or thought she was too off center. And Calgary a matured man. Find themselves in an understanding. I thought they would never see eye to eye.

I give Ordeal by Innocence 5 

On to the next great novel!